Minotaurs

In Greek Mythology

Birth

Minos, king of Crete, wanted to know if Poseidon favored his rule. He asked the god to grant him a white bull so he may sacrifice the bull to Poseidon. Poseidon granted Minos his wish a delivered a pure white bull. Upon seeing the bull Minos decided against killing it. This of course outraged Poseidon who made Pasiphaë, wife of Minos, fall in love with the bull. Daedalus was called in to make a wooden cow for Pasiphaë to crawl into so she may mate with the bull. It is from this that the Minotaur was born.

Death

After being raised by Pasiphaë the Minotaur became ferocious and destructive. Daedalus was called in once again, this time by king Minos, to build an elaborate labyrinth (maze) to trap the beast, but king Minos betray Daedalus and left him to make his own way out. It is at this time that Androgeus, son of Minos, was killed by the Athenians; Minos declarded war on Athens and was victorious. Athens punishment was simple: every year they would have to send young men and women into the Labyrinth to be eaten by the Minotaur. The Athenian hero Theseus decided he would slay the monster and upon arriving in Crete was greeted by Ariadne, daughter of Minos. She quickly fell in love with Theseus and was able to tell him how to navigate the labyrinth. Theseus was then able to slay the Minotaur.